Gemotions

Michael clutched the crumpled newspaper, his knuckles white. The headline screamed across the front page: “Literary Giant Accused of Plagiarism.” Underneath, a photo of Arthur Finch. The author. His author. Michael, a simple bookstore clerk, had devoured Finch's work for years, finding solace and inspiration in the words. Now, it was alleged Finch had lifted entire passages from a struggling, unknown writer - Michael.

He slowly lowered himself into a chair, the room tilting slightly. The familiar scent of old paper and ink usually comforted him, but now it felt suffocating. He reread the accusations, each word a cold, hard slap. He tried to think, but his thoughts scattered like startled birds. He felt a deep, hollow ache spread through him. It was a physical sensation, like a vacuum had been created inside his chest.

“No,” he finally breathed, the word a small, lost sound.